La Mesa — Restaurant in Fort Smith

We were in the mood for Mexican food. I have been looking at the menu and the reviews at La Mesa for a little while. We decided to go on a Saturday at around 4ish PM. We got there and it was pretty quiet. They have a bunch of TV's inside and were playing some sports and some other stuff. They also had music playing( a bit loud, but they eventually turned it down) People started to come in as we were leaving and it was getting packed.

We were quickly greeted by our server and they brought some chips and salsa rather quickly. Asked us what we wanted to drink. The wife ordered a coke and I ordered a beer. They have 1.99 16 ounces draft beer during the weekend. I got a Modelo. It was ice cold and fresh. I asked if they had hot salsa and brought me some. The chips were hot and fresh and the salsa very tasty. The hot salsa I asked for was some of the best I had. I could of drank that stuff. It was hot but not crazy hot but oh was it tasty.

I ordered the parrillada Jalisco and my wife ordered the Nicole special. We also ordered 3 hard shells beef tacos. It took very little time and the food made it to our table. The food was amazing, fresh and tasty. The portions are very generous and the price is great. Our server Juan made our experience top-notch. Making sure we were pleased with our food and even showing us some of the other foods they serve and what he likes from La Mesa. I can tell that he is proud of the food they serve. The chef at that restaurant is amazing and proud. I hope they keep it up. Hats off to them.

Can't wait to go...

Last night I placed a to-go order by phone for a Nicole special, add 6 shrimp, a large cheese dip and a large salsa about 8:30pm. The guy repeated my order and asked of I wanted both chicken and shrimp on my order, I said yes. My order # was 10. My husband picked the order up about 8:45 and got home around 9:15pm. When I opened the dinner it was steak. Since the restaurant was already closed I called today to make them aware of the mistake. The guy I talked to repeatedly told me the Nicole comes with chicken. I said I knew this and was trying to explain that I got steak instead. He asked if I had a picture. I said no. He asked why not. I said because I didn't think it would be an issue. He said he was there all day/night and was 100% sure I got chicken. I told him I was 100% sure I most certainly got steak. He said he'd have to review his cameras and I could call back later. I told him I didn't appreciate basically being accused of lying and would not be calling back, nor would I give them my business anymore. He changed his tune and offered to replace my order. I told him no, I would not be back and to have...

I’m not sure why so many Mexican restaurants in the area have 4.5 to 5 stars b/c in our opinion, 3 stars is being generous. Pros here- queso was great, chips & salsa were good, margarita was decent (definitely didn’t taste fresh), & prices were cheap. Cons- our meals were not good at all. Street tacos were not good at all. We assumed they’d be like street tacos from taco food trucks in San Antonio/Texas area, but the meat in the street tacos here had no flavor. The tamales tasted like wet cornbread with almost no filling. We’ll stick with Shorty’s Tamales by Walmart on Zero street for tamales in the Ft Smith area, for sure. We also ordered a bean burrito but never got it. We’d consider stopping by in the future if we happen to be close by and just want a snack of chips, queso, & a drink, but we definitely won’t be back for a full meal. Service wasn’t the greatest either which is a big deal for us. Overall, not impressed except for the...